Bullfinch but not here

[vicky@glos]

I have seen a Bullfinch early this afternoon but I can't claim it offically as it was in next doors garden in their apple tree. Been looking for it all afternoon. So far not seen it again.

Can anyone tell me if they eat niger seeds ?
Cos if they do I anit got any.

Just found a great deal on wild bird seed 20Kg for 8 GBpounds. Getting some tomorrow. I hope this will attract more birds. I have been getting 2x10kg one of seed and one of peanuts from B&Q.


So bring on the local cheaper stuff and see what happens.
I'll try it for that price.

Vicky@glos

Also have blackcap locally too but they do not want to know my garden.

I think I must have bluetits traverling from at last a mile or so to feed at my garden.

Any thoughts ?

see ya!

[Booga]

Bullies seem quite happy with a regular seed mix in my experience. I have only seen two this year so far, one on the local wood and one in a maple at the bottom of the garden for about 10 seconds. They are pretty fond of cotoneaster and viburnum berries though if you have any nearby. I occaisionaly cut a twigful from the woods and put on the table and they never stay there long so somebody likes them.

Having said that I wouldn't advise taking too many as the park birds need them!

Take care

Boogs

[Learner]

Hi Vicky

Bullfinches visit my garden occasionally but do not seem to find the seed attractive -have not heard of the being partial to Niger seed(Goldfinches love it).The only food Blackcaps that visit my garden appear interested in is apple.
Beware of cheap seed - as in most things in life you get what you pay for in quality!!

[seb_seb]

i have ahd bullfinches eating at my bird table. eating what i dont know..maybe raisons or sunflower seeds.
also the blackcap seems to prefer finding his own food in the trees and bushes.

[T0ny]

Some years ago I had Blackcap on my bird table eating stale mince pies - so get them now while they're going cheap as they're short-dated (the pies not the Blackcaps !)

Tony

[IanF]

We have a lack of Bullfinches at the moment, though they usually return come Spring.

I think that they have a liking for general seed mixes and I have seen them tucking into sunflower seeds. Not so sure about the Niger though, so I wouldn't be too bothered about that.

[paula]

Bullfinches at my patch love black sunflower seeds.

[Richard Ford]

I have Bullfinches visiting my Garden every day at the moment sometimes up to 7 birds, I agree they seem to love sunflower, but will feed on the mixed seed mix also, perhaps they are picking out the sunflower seeds.
If you don't believe me see this:

http://www.digitalwildlife.co.uk/gallery/birds/bully.htm

Rich

[IanF]

Your photo says it all Richard :t:

[paula]

What startling beauties they are.
Funny, I seem to only have females on my feeders, one does feed from the niger seed feeder! Am trying to take a picture, not succeeded yet
Hope there are some males around.

[jayhunter]

Brilliant picture Richard, haven't spotted any Bullfinches when I visit my Sister's in Meonstoke, she has quite a wide selection of birds. Including Eric the Egret down by the Buckshead!

[bristolbirder]

As I live just down the A38 from you I thought I'd better reply!

During January I have had up to 4 Bullfinches in my small suburban garden feeding on the ground on black sunflower seeds spilt from the feeder. In the previous 20 years I can only ever remember seeing one other Bullfinch and that was a juvenile! Haven't seen any in the last couple of weeks though.

[IanF]

Well we saw plenty of Bullfinches today at Thornley Wood Centre in Derwentside, and managed to get a few decent pictures of them, the thing that amazes me is the variation in colour of the male.